Hello all my GT friends. I need some advice.

In another month or so, I will be celebrating my 47th b'day (which is quite a feat in itself considering my somewhat wild and reckless youth but those are stories for another day ~ :D ) and to honor the occasion, I am going to purchase a new guitar. Yes, yes, I am going to spoil myself with a new toy. Now my budget is around $450 or so American. I have narrowed my choice down to either a Mexican Strat or an Epihone Les Paul Standard.

Now I have been reading the on-line reviews and it would appear that the Fender gets dogged a little bit for a variety of reasons but the Epi seems to get through relatively unscathed. Now I already have an Ibanez Af-75 semi-hollow body that has a nice growl to it so I am thinking that the Epi is going to be very similar. The Fender would be a nice addition. I am blues / blues rock kinda guy and as all bluesy people seem to agree, the Strat is the one to buy.

So I am asking you folks, what do you think?

Thanks in advance.